By Idongesit Ashameri / Special Correspondent, Uyo
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners has threatened to mobilise members running into millions to deliberate seriously on how to vote during the 2015 Presidential election if the present administration of Goodluck Jonathan fails to turn urgent attention to the plight of the union.
This position was made public during a nationwide press conference, Monday, at the South South geo-political zone by the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) to sensitize government and the public on the plight of pensioners in the country.
In an address by the National President NUP, Dr. Abel Afolayan and presented by Elder Tubonimi Sukuye, VP, South South, the pensioners accused some state governments of exhibiting non-challant attitude towards their plight and welfare and vowed to in addition to the presidential election, reflect deeply on which governorship candidate to vote for in all the states of the federation.
“Government should be told that Civil Pensioners in Nigeria (about five million) form a large voting block and to neglect us is not in the best interest of either the federal or state government. As law-abiding Nigerians, we will continue to dialogue, and if this press conference fails (God forbid) we shall involve NLC and TUC. With involvement of these two labour giants in the country, it is certain that Nigerian workers, who are praying to be pensioners would join us on sympathy ground in nationwide protest which may likely come in future”.
While calling on the Federal Government to address and resolve issues such as non-harmonisation of pension for most pensioners, ill-treatment of federal parastatals and private sector pensioners, irregularities with primary schools and local government pensioners and problems associated with contributory pension scheme resulting in non-deduction of check-off dues from pensioners in the scheme, the NUP National leadership said these issues if not properly addressed, would negatively affect future of the union.
NUP, which frowned at the non-prosecution of the identified culprits of pension fraud, called on the Federal Government to satisfactorily address the issue, which according to them, has damaged the image of Nigeria both nationally and internationally. “This situation,” the union said, “has negatively affected the funds ought to have been made available for genuine pensioners.”
The union considered as serious show of disregard, exclusion of NUP from participation in the ongoing National Conference despite efforts to be part of it.
Presenting situation report from some of the six states of the South South geo-political zone, the Akwa Ibom State Chapter Chairman of NUP, Elder Ettetor Uwah, expressed disappointment that though the state is known for its uncommon transformation, pensioners are dying in penury as every plight of the people as channeled to appropriate authorities, continually fell on deaf ears.
He regretted to announce to the gathering that the immediate past NUP Chairman in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Cletus Ukoh, slumped and died while hanging on the arm of a chair, waiting almost a whole day to see the head of Civil Service, Mrs. Cecilia Umoessien, to further discuss the plight of pensioners in the state.
“Pensioners are really suffering in Akwa Ibom State, our late former chairman was constantly subjected to stress of having to wait for the people who should be attentive to our plight. After waiting in vain for the Special Adviser on Labour Matters to the governor without the simple courtesy of giving attention, we move to the Head of Service the next day, waited all day in an over-crowded office and due to discomfort and strong sense of disappointment, our chairman took ill, slumped and later died at the hospital”.
The state chapter said the state government has failed to harmonise pension in lieu of the minimum wage earn by workers, in payment of 6,15 and 33 percentages of 2003, 2007 and and 2009 respectively, failed to clear arrears of pension from 1991-2000, gratuity and pension to retired primary school teachers and local government pensioner from 2011 and 2009 till date, respectively.
The Akwa Ibom pensioners also complained that despite claims of free medical treatment for the aged in the state, there has never been a time they go for treatment without paying for drugs as hospitals constantly complain of running out of stoke for drugs allocated for the aged.
Presenting a report on Cross River State, the chapter Chairman, NUP Mr Benjamin Eteh said the state Government is quite attentive and up to date with the need of pensioners in the state. Reporting that the issue of harmonisation has been increased to 91 per cent. He disclosed that the cross River State head of civil service has continued to maintain a cordial relationship with pensioners as evidence in the e-payment of March pension without any stress to the aged ones.
Delta state, as presented, though still having few issues to sort out, announced that the state government had recently released funds to address some Gray issues raised.
The State Chairman of River State chapter of NUP, Mr. Edward Abibo, described his state government as pension unfriendly as the government, according to him has bluntly refused to abide by the word of God and the constitution. Adding that no increase has been effected in river’s pension scheme between 2003 and date.